Dredging apparatus



@UL l5, 1935. Q 5 SMlTH 2,017,296

DREDGING APPARATUS Original Filed Aug. '25, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 15, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application August. 25, 1933, Serial No. 686,813 Renewed December 21, 1934 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in dredging apparatus and more especially in the suction pipe therefor.

A feature of this invention resides ina suction 5 pipe having an intermediate flexible section and an elongated and rigid nozzle section.

A further feature resides in mechanism connected with the nozzle section for elevating and lowering the same and also positioning the latter in Various locations in a stream.

A further feature resides in a clearing or blowout pipe having a flexible section extending to the dredge and being in communication with the nozzle section for forcing out of the latter any accumulations of material that would otherwise clog the same.

The invention also involves a skeleton-like assembly of bars or rods rotatably mounted on and extending across the open end of the nozzle and disposed lengthwise of the periphery thereof, the rods or bars being spirally disposed with a length and pitch suflicient so that when they are rotated, they will act in concert with the weight of the nozzle to cause the latter to penetrate any material with which it contacts.

A further feature resides in flexible driving means extending from the dredge to the nozzle for imparting rotation to such assembly.

The invention has many other objects and features which will be more fully described in connection with the accompanying drawings and which will be more particularly pointed out in and by the appended claims.

In the drawings:-

Fig. 1 is a view in end elevation of a dredge showing how the device of my invention is associated therewith.

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation thereof.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the nozzle section showing how it is connected with the intermediate flexible section.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a sectional View on line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. '1 is a. sectional view on line 1 1 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is an end View of the nozzle looking in the direction of arrow 8, of Fig. 3.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view on line 9-9 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view on line Ill- I0 of 5 Fig. 3.

Like characters of reference designate similar parts throughout the different figures of the drawings.

In Figs. l and 2, I have shown a dredge A,

5 which of course will be suitably equipped with `indicated at D.

sources of power and suction, which need not be illustrated. The water line is indicated at B and the bed surface of the stream at C. I have very generally indicated at I, a main hoisting and lowering post secured to the dredge A and over- 5 hanging the same, as shown in Fig. 1. At 2 and 3, are similar posts that serve to locate or positionthe nozzle, as will presently appear. The post I has an elevating line 4, adapted for connectionY at 5, with the nozzle, which is generally 10 The post 2 has a guiding line E, connected with the nozzle D, at l, and post 3 has a. guiding line 8, connected with nozzle D, at 9. It will be understood that these lines 4,

6 and 8 will extend to the dredge A, and will be 15 operated by suitable devices such as a windlass, not shown.

That part of the suction pipe which I will term the supporting section, is indicated at E, and will be suitably connected with a source of suction, 2O such as a pump, not shown, and adapted for location on the dredge and suitably powered. This supporting section E, is a rigid stationary section and has a ange I0, for attachment thereto of an intermediate flexible section F, which 25 will be of such length as to afford the nozzle D,

a relatively wide range of latitude in being positioned at different locations with respect to the dredge A.

The flexible section F, has a flange I I adapted 30 to be attached to flange I0, and a flange I2, adapted to be attached to flange I3, of the nozzle D, the three sections, E, F and D, constituting the suction pipe, in that form of the invention herein shown.

Reference will next be made to the construction and features of the nozzle section D, with particu-- lar reference to Figs. 3 to l0.

As illustrated, section D comprises a pipe I4 of uniform diameter and bore and which extends 40 from its flange I3 to the open nozzle end I5. A rigid elbow fitting I6, opens to said pipe I4, at Il, where it is secured thereto, and has a flange I8, that is secured to flange I 9, of a flexible section 2t, that extends to and into the barge A, and is 45 adapted for connection with a pump or reservoir whereby air at relatively high pressure, far greater than the suction in pipe I4 at least, may be turned on to clear and blow out any obstructing and clogged material that may have accumulated in the nozzle section. The flexible section 2S, will in practice, have a length equivalent to the length ofisection F., of thesuction pipe.

A journal 2l, is secured to pipe I4, and carries a .bearing 22, in which a shaft 23, is jour- Reference will next be made to a novel means for causing the nozzle to penetrate any material with which it contacts below the water. Y Y

Surrounding a major portion ofthe lengthof the nozzle pipe I4, is a skeleton-like assembly or cage, which, in the presentform of the invention consists of a plurality of bars or rods of any desired cross section, the same being herein shown as cylindrical. In the drawings, I have shown a rod having a bight 39, which extends across vthe open end I5 of thenozzle, the limbs extending lengthwise of pipe I4 and being spirally formed as shown. The sleeve 21, has a rod anchoring flange 33, secured or formedl integral therewith, and the upper end portions of the rods are adapted to be anchored to said flangeV 33,.in any suitable manner, such as by welding or brazing them in suitable recesses in the periphery of the flange, as

.shown in Fig. 7. It will be seen that the ends 34 and-35, are free, for a purpose that will presently appear. The bight 36, of another rod, has its limbs 31 and 38 extended lengthwise about pipe I 4, in the same manner as previously described regarding the companion rod and the ends, one only being shown at 39, are secured in the ange 33 andthe free end 40,V extends beyond said flange as shown, and all of the freeends 34, 35 and40, are in lengthwise spaced relation from gear 29. Near the nozzle end I5, I provide thrust shoulders 4I and 42, and between said shoulders is a rod anchoring ring 43 which is revolubly disposed on pipe I4. Said Vring has a peripherally disposed notch 44,'for each of the limbs, and hence the ring 43 and flange 33, serve not only to anchor the limbs in fixedspaced relation to each other, and in peripherally spaced and. concentric relation to pipe I4, but they also function to hold the bights 36 and 36 in space-d relation to the open end I5 of nozzle pipe I4.

Y While I have only shown two rods, it will be understood that as many may be employed, in practice, as are deemed'necessary, in view of this disclosure. It is alsoa'feature of the invention to provide rods of spring steel, which has many advantages by reason of the fact that this feature would permit the rods to spring and yield without being deformed,` as will later appear, although the yielding feature is not anessential feature of the invention. Y

At this point, I desire to emphasize the fact that the nozzle pipe I4, is elongated and is very greatly increased in length with respect to the average length of a nozzle for this purpose. In

fact, for one phase of the invention,.it may be considered that the nozzle consistsV of that portion of pipe I4 that` extends from shoulder 42 to the open end I5, the remainder of the pipe being a section of the suction pipe'. Atv any rate, it will now be clear that this elongated nozzle I 4 is Very heavy, andthe weight is purposelyadded fora function that will be later developed.

n win be clear' that the bights so and as, not

only extend across the open end I5 and thereby arrest entrance thereto of excessive size material, but it will also be seen that the bights are so that in addition to arresting entrance of oversize material like rocks, the revolving movement will shift such obstructing material to one side. 5

I will next describe the operation of the invention.

The operator in the barge or dredge A, will manipulate the power controlled lines or cables 5 and 5 to dispose the nozzle D in the desired 10 lateral position with respect to the dredge A. If a different longitudinal position is desired, the power lines 6 and 8, will be employed. Thus it will be clear Ythat the nozzle may be located in any desired position within the range of the mecha- 15 nism` designed for this purpose.

' The nozzle D, will iirst be lowereduntil the lower end engages the river bed C, and then, or even before, powerY will be applied to flexible shaft 25to rotate the dig-in or penetrating rod 20 assemblage formed by rods 3|, 32, 39 and 4D, and the direction of rotation will be such that these spiral rods will act as an auger, aided' by the weight of the nozzle, to cause the latter to penetrate the gravel or other bed to the depth desired. 25' Of course, this would be limited by the gear and Ypinion 29 and 26, respectively, as these parts could not go into the gravel, but` any depth short of this, would be possible.

Now it will be clear that the bights 36 and 36, 3d will form a cagevery closely abreast of the open end I5, of the nozzle, and because they are rotating, they will not only prevent entrance of large stones but will act to shift them to one side ofthe nozzle.V As the latter descends into the 35` solid bed C, larger stones engaging th'e rods will be lifted upwardly, by reason of the spiral form of the latter, and if they are of spring steel, they will yield and 'later spring back to form. Because of the fact that the nozzle D is nonrotatively 40/ connected with section F, and the latter is likewise connected with pipe E, it will be seen that the nozzle pipe I 4 cannot rotate While penetrating the bed C.

It is desired to emphasize the fact that the 45 f bights 30 and 36, forming the cage across the open endY I5, can, with my construction, be disposed in very close relation thereto thereby rendering the suction far more efficient by reason of the fact that it has a far greater "draw on 50 f` the material than if the cage were in greater spaced relation to the nozzle end. If for any reason the pipe I4 clogged with muck or other material, the blow-out feature through pipe I6 would be initiated to clear the pipe. It is a feature of the invention to provide a blow-out pressure far in excess of the suction draw, or if desired, suction may momentarily be stopped to afford full force and effect of the clearing pressure. Y,As the clearing pressure forces the material against the rotating bights, the latter will serve to. break up and disperse it as it is expressed outwardly from nozzle end I 5.

After'dredging at one location of the nozzle has been completed; the latter can be raised and positioned latanother point, bythe hoisting and locating mechanism herein-before described, and the. next operation will be the same as that just detailed. y

It will be clear that'the rods are in spaced 70 `l` peripheral relationto the pipe I4, which makes them self clearing; and itwill also be noted that' the Vupper ends of the rods are anchored to the flange 133, below their terminals, so. that vwhen material isjraised'as the nozzle descendsinto .the 75"/l bed C, it will be self clearing when it reaches the upper free ends of the rods.

It is a distinctive feature of the invention to interpose a flexible section between the rigid nozzle and supporting sections and to localize all the operating and movable parts on the nozzle.

Because of this construction, I am able to reduce the aggregate weight, and very greatly increase the length and range of the suction pipe. And further, with a given length of pipe, I can locate the nozzle nearer the dredge by bowing the flexible section, and without moving the dredge, than would be the case if the suction pipe were rigid throughout its length. By reason of this intermediate flexible section, I can dispose the nozzle section in a substantially vertical position, so that it can penetrate the river bed to a greater depth than would be the case if the suction pipe was rigid, in which event, the nozzle would always have to enter the bed at an inclination to the vertical.

It will also be clear that with my improved construction, no projective thrust from the dredge is necessary to embed the nozzle into the river bed because the weight of the nozzle, and the screw or auger-like device shown, both coact to make the nozzle self penetrating into the bed.

It will be clear that by reason of the intermediate flexible section, the nozzle will at all times be mechanically free floating and self or gravity acting, in the performance of its functions, hence, the mechanism for manipulating the nozzle always acts in tension.

It will thus be seen that the invention involves the features of lowering a suction passage or duct, which is preferably non-rotatable, below the water surface and into contact with the river or like bed, and in coacting with the material of the bed, preferably rotatively, to thrust the duct into the bed after the duct has been lowered below the surface of the water.

It will thus be seen that the nozzle is free for unrestricted movement in any direction, responsive to the cables 4, 6 and 8, and during penetrative operation, the barge A does not sustain the weight of the nozzle. It will also be clear that no mechanism is needed to impart thrust to sink the nozzle into the bed and hence the barge A is not called upon to sustain any such thrust with the objectionable result of shifting the barge out of position. By reason of these features, the nozzle can at all times be lowered and can operate in a vertical position.

It is believed that the apparatus of this invention will be fully understood from the foregoing description, and while I have shown and described only one specific form of the invention, I do not wish to be limited thereto except for such limitations as the claims may import.

l. In a dredging apparatus, a suction pipe having a exible section and an elongated rigid nozzle section provided with an open end, an assembly of rods extending across the open end of said nozzle section and being spirally disposed lengthwise about the periphery of said nozzle section with a sufficient pitch to coact with the weight of said nozzle section to cause penetration of the latter into the material with which it contacts, means revolubly mounting said assembly of rods in spaced relation on said nozzle section, and flexible driving means for causing rotation of said assembly of rods.

2. In a dredging apparatus, a dredge, a supporting pipe flxedly mounted on said dredge and adapted for connection with a suction pump, a flexible pipe connected with said supporting pipe and of su'icient length to afford a nozzle ample range of movement, an elongated rigid nozzle connected with said exible pipe and having movable means for causing penetration of the nozzle into the material with which it contacts, and flexible driving mechanism extending from the dredge to said movable means for operating the latter.

3. In a nozzle structure for dredging apparatus, a nozzle pipe having an open end, rods having theirbights extended across said open end to arrest over-size material, the limbs of said rods extending spirally lengthwise about the periphery of said nozzle pipe, a ring anchored to said rods and rotatively mounted on said nozzle pipe near said open end, a transmission sleeve rotatively mounted on said nozzle pipe and having a gear above the ends of said rods and said sleeve extending below and inside the ends of said rods and having a flange anchored to the latter below their terminal ends, and a pinion carried by said nozzle pipe and meshing with said gear for rotating said sleeve and rods.

4. In a dredging apparatus, a dredge having a suction pipe provided with a nozzle section having an open end, rods having their bights extended across said open end to agitate and arrest entrance of over-size material into said nozzle section, the limbs of said rods extending spirally lengthwise and substantially in concentric spaced relation about the periphery of said nozzle section, means for revolubly mounting said rods on said nozzle section, and means for rotating said rods whereby coaction thereof with the weight of said nozzle section will cause the latter to descend into the river bed and elevate surrounding material as said nozzle section descends.

5. In a nozzle for a dredging machine, a nozzle section provided with an open end, a rod-like cage extended across said open end to agitate and arrest entrance of over-size material into said nozzle section, and said rod-like cage having rod portions extending sprally and lengthwise along and about the periphery of said nozzle section, means revolubly mounting said rod-like cage on said nozzle section, and means for rotating said rodlike cage whereby coaction thereof with the weight of said nozzle section will cause descent of the latter into the river bed and elevate and free said section from surrounding material as said nozzle section descends.

COLEN S. SMITH. 

